In 1991 the West Midlands Pulmonary Function Audit Group examined the consistency between pulmonary function laboratories in the West Midlands. Three healthy subjects visited 22 centres and performed a standard set of pulmonary function tests. Demographic data on nine hypothetical subjects was also supplied for the laboratories to produce predicted values. Equipment was checked for accuracy using standard methods. The 1991 audit revealed significant inter-laboratory variability. Sources of error were identified and after consultation, recommendations were made to improve consistency. In addition, national and regional training workshops were organized for laboratory staff. In 1995 the audit was repeated using the same three subjects. Significant differences continued for all predicted results except for residual volume (RV) and forced vital capacity (FVC) and for all measured results except for functional residual capacity (FRC). However, improvements in the coefficient of variation were seen compared with 1991 for predicted forced expiratory volume (FEV1), total lung capacity (TLC), gas transfer (TLCO), FVC, FRC and RV. Similar improvements were seen in measured results for FEV1 and FVC. Increased variation was seen for predicted corrected transfer factor (KCO) and actual RV. The majority of variables in the 1995 audit had a coefficient of variation of less than 5% between laboratories. Analysis of the predicted results from the hypothetical subjects continued to show unacceptable variation reflecting continuing computer algorithm inconsistency. The improvements seen are encouraging and suggest that a regular audit programme is worthwhile.

Phase 1. Significant variations (P < 0.05) were observed in all measured values of pulmonary function tests of the three subjects. Significant variations (P < 0.05) were also observed in all predicted values except total lung capacity. Phase 2. There were significant variations (P < 0.05) amongst laboratories in calculating the predicted values of all components of pulmonary function tests. No significant differences were observed in the measurement of volume or concentration of carbon monoxide or helium.

Background:The management of locally advanced (Stage IIb and III) breast cancer is challenging. It often includes multimodal treatment with systemic therapy and/or radiation therapy and surgery. Immediate breast reconstruction has not traditionally been performed in these patients. We review the results of immediate rectus abdominis musculo-cutaneous (TRAM/VRAM) flap in 60 patients treated for Stage IIb and III breast cancer.Materials and Methods:Data were collected prospectively on 60 patients diagnosed with Stage IIb (32 patients) and Stage III (28 patients) breast cancer between May 2008 and May 2012. All patients had mastectomy and immediate rectus abdominis myocutaneous reconstruction (TRAM in 40 patients and VRAM in 20 patients). All patients received primary systemic therapy, and all patients received postoperative radiotherapy to the operative site.Results:Mean age was 40.13 (range 28-53) years, mean hospital stay was 8.86 days and mean follow-up for the group was 28 months. Neither of them developed local disease recurrence in the operative site till the last follow-up. Eight (13.3%) patients had some delay in chemo-radiation therapy due to flap-related complications. Flap-related complications were present in eight patients (partial flap failure in four and superficial skin necrosis in four). There was no adverse effect of chemo-radiation therapy on reconstructed breast.Conclusion:Immediate TRAM/VRAM breast reconstruction for locally advanced breast cancer is not associated with a significant delay in adjuvant therapy or an increased risk of local relapse. Radiation therapy can be delivered to the reconstructed breast when indicated without difficulty. Breast reconstruction facilitates surgical resection of locally advanced breast cancer with primary closure and should be considered if the patient desires immediate breast reconstruction.

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Distally based Sural flap; distal leg, heel and foot defects; reconstruction of foot. Soft tissue management around the lower third of the leg and foot presents a considerable challenge to the reconstructive plastic surgeon. The options in this region are limited. A durable flap is the preferred option for coverage of such defects. This study was conducted over a period of 10 years to evaluate the efficacy of distally based Sural flap in coverage of the lower third of leg, ankle and foot defects. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the department of Burns, Plastic, and Reconstructive surgery GMC Srinagar. The patients who underwent treatment from March-2008 to Feb-2018 were the subjects of study. Distally based sural fasciocutaneous flap was used for coverage in all cases and its survival, successful coverage of the defect and donor site morbidity studied. Results: Out of 100 flaps, 80 showed complete survival (80%). Partial flap loss (up to one third but less than half of the flap) was found in 3 patients (3%), marginal flap necrosis in 4 patients (4%), venous congestion developed in 5 patients (5%) and complete loss in 4 patients (4%) with extensive heel injury. Conclusions: The distally based sural flap is a versatile and reliable flap for the coverage of soft tissue defects of the distal lower extremity. The procedure is done as a single stage; the dissection is easy with short operating time and minimal morbidity.

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Background: Anterior cervical contractures of the neck represent a great challenge for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Necks can be reconstructed with a wide range of surgical techniques. The supraclavicular flap is easy to harvest without the need for free tissue transfer. It provides a relatively large flap for neck resurfacing with tissue very similar to that of the neck. Material and Methods: This study was carried out in the Plastic Surgery Department of GMC Srinagar between November 2015 and October 2019. It involved 50 patients (40 females and 10 males), in whom supraclavicular artery flap was done to reconstruct head and neck. Follow-up period ranged from 2-27 months (average 12.3). Results: The study involved 50 patients. Mean age was 26.5 years (range 57-12 years). Thirty five patients had post-burn neck contractures, five patients had portwine stain face, three had marjolin ulcer, four patients had post traumatic and three had post bear maul defect. We harvested unilateral flaps in all of patients. In thirty five patients the flap was pedicled, three had adipofascial pedicle and twelve were islanded. The size of the reconstructed defect ranged from 23x10 to 14x6, and the size of the flap varied from 16x7cm to 25x11. Mean length was 21.7 cm. We used a partial thickness skin graft for donor site closure in 41 cases and closed primarily in 9 cases. Flap was used to resurface neck in 35 patients, face resurfacing in 10 patients, as intraoral lining in 3 patients. The following complications occurred: hematoma in 3 cases, partial distal necrosis in 2 cases, and donor site graft loss in 3 cases. Follow-up period ranged from 2-27 months Conclusion: The supraclavicular artery island flap is a thin, malleable fasciocutaneous flap that is easily and rapidly harvested, with a reliable pedicle and minimal donor site morbidity. It constitutes an alternative to local flaps, while providing equivalent functional results, and must be an integral part of the head and neck reconstructive surgeons therapeutic armamentarium.